Rafa Explains Why This Current System Has To Change

Rafa Benitez has talked this summer about how unsettling it is for teams and managers to start their season in August with the summer transfer window still open until August 31st – and some of the big players in the team can leave at almost any time.

What would be much more sensible is to have the transfer window close before the first game of the season and then the club knows what their squad will be for the season.

But try to tell that to the powers that be in the game.

Rafa Benitez during Brighton game yesterday
Before the game yesterday with Brighton, which ended in a good 2-0 win for Newcastle, Rafa was asked about the transfer window.

This is what he said:

“You are overpaying for players that maybe have another level, but the market has been crazy like this and something that has to change.”

“They should change the deadline for the transfer window, that’s very clear, but also the prices.”

“You cannot keep playing these commissions, these prices, these fees and these salaries for players just because we have the TV money.”

“No, we have to manage the same way. If you have some money you pay the value of the player and you pay this value.”

“If I go to the market one month ago with money, I could buy what I wanted.” “Now I can go and I have to buy what is available, and it’s more close to what I think what I need.”

“Then you can say I need this player with this characteristic, and he’s there in the market. “Now it’s about as getting as close as possible.”

“We don’t talk about the targets. “We have players in different positions.”

“I am really pleased with the squad and how they train, but we have to keep the balance.”

The market has been crazy especially this summer with the Premier League clubs new £5.1B TV rights deal having kicked in.

We have seen ridiculous prices being paid by Premier League clubs for players, like the £100M paid out for Paul Pogba by Manchester United.

It’s good that Newcastle did some very good early transfer business this summer to get players in like Matz Sels, Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Issac Hayes and Jesus Gamez all by early July.

In fact Newcastle have done very well so far this summer and in a couple of days we could well have brought 12 players in over the summer.

52 responses so far ↓

Good question, I doubt very much that it would be a top four side as his attacking play isn’t good enough for that, Janmaat and Haidara would have a better chance at a top four club as they can attack, sadly they can’t defend and if your a top side who is going to dominate sides week in and week out then you need a full back whose strength is attacking as they probably won’t do too much defending.

However, since the late great Sir Bobby left us we have been a side who is dominated more than what we dominate and when you are one of those sides you have got to have defenders who can defend, which is why I rate Dummett as highly as I do, mind in fairness to Dummett when he does get forward he does have a half decent cross on him so it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that with good coaching Rafa could make him a better all round full back.

I know it is early days, but I thought Jesus was dodgy yesterday, although it is never easy in a new club and just a second half sub.
It did look like the other players were apprehensive to pass to him on case he bolloxed it up.

Not too sure how exciting the window would be if it ended before the season started……sky sports wouldn’t be rolling out floppychops with his arm out of the window every window as it would be all concluded pre season, it means we either have to have a winter break or only one window, I would go for the latter, one window from 1st June till 31st July…..buy then or don’t buy at all……loan players are available to get in January and during the main window but no purchasing players in January …….that would work for me

big gamble keeping Sissoko
far to many on here over value his quality the price clubs are offering for him should tell you all you need to know what other professionals think of him and the risk involved in buying him and that’s what will decide the fee we get
no other club has come close to our value

Hard to believe we are signing murphy as well. I watched a lot of the euros and all if ireland’s games. Rafa must have been watching a different euros to me coz both murphy and clark were crap. Havibg said that as back ups it is prob considered 2 very good signings. Players with lots of heart too.

Not sure about the Murphy signing…I don’t quite get the rationale behind it unless Rafa is letting someone else go.

…He’s not exactly prolific either… and he’s your old fashioned target man…a role I thought Mitro was made for.

We’ve not got enough guile up front if you ask me…Richie is good and very creative, Gouffy is proving to be a handful to your average championship defender but the rest of our attacking players seem to be high class championship players but no more.

One things for sure…when we go up next summer we’ll have to spend bigger again because there’s not many in this new re-vamped squad that will survive in the premiership.

I fully appreciate the squad is being to built to do the job of getting us back up but you need to keep keep most of that squad together to maintain the momentum….but my fear is the squad we now have will have to be ripped apart which means another difficult start to our life back in the premiership.

I honestly don’t know as it depends upon the style that the manager wants to play to, if it’s all out attack where you dominate like City, Spurs etc then not a hope in hell, he is not a Kevin Keegan type of full back.

But some teams do like to defend first, which is Rafa’ preference by the way, and then attack as and when it is suitable, sadly Rafa’s side ain’t in the PL so no joy for him there, I hate to say it but Pardew also prefers defenders who can defend first and attack second, so there is a possibility there, but the side most suited to Dummett from my piont of view would be Leicester, defend, defend and defend and hit teams on the break to win matches, Leicester are built on a stalwart and stubborn bunch who defend like mad and then pass the halfway line 3/4 a game but win it, Dummett would be ideal for them.

If murphy arrival pushes out riverie then I am happy with that. With more players coming in…What does the future hold for tiote sissoko and haidira. Reckon judge could be signed if sossoko does go. Knockeart would be an ideal signing

Lazaar could be a decent signing,not sure if he’ll start as a LB as he has played more in LMF but he’ll bring balance down the left side.One of his reported weakness’s is that he hangs onto the ball too long so maybe Dummet will keep his place at LB with Lazaar LM/LW to keep the defence tight.

I think Sissoko will be sold. There will be a compromise between the buying club, the agent and Newcastle, possibly on the last day of the transfer window.

As much as Rafa says he likes Sissoko I doubt very much whether the player has featured in Rafa’s plans.

The team yesterday is taking shape in a way that I don’t see the need for Sissoko. The only question marks are whether Anita and Dummitt will be sacrificed for Lazaar and Yedlin. It would be hard on both Anita and Dummitt especially Anita who looks very solid at right back. Perhaps his versatility is his undoing.

I would imagine is next port of call is likely to be in the Middle East or China where money appears to be no barrier for someone who wants one last big pay day.

Rivière has admirers in France but not the wage he is currently being paid. Given that he hasn’t featured in the first team when Mitrovich has been absent tends to point towards Rafa not having much faith in him. I can see a loan deal to France with Newcastle paying a proportion of his wages.

Not sure about Haidara. He has had back luck with injuries. I liked him as a fullback. He was great going forward but not so great at defending. The complete opposite of Dummitt.

Everyone in the squad will be used as & when Rafa thinks best, he rotates to keep the players fresh and has repeatedly said so. Forget back up & think of a squad member who Rafa prefer’s in certain games for one reason or another.

Maybe I’m being a bit thick but if you’re telling me the best available back up for Mitro (if we do decide to play target man football) is a 33 year old has-been who hasn’t scored in 22 attempts for his country and and a one goal in 4 ratio in mostly championship football?

Sorry but still don’t get it and if we’re going to unlock championship defences with regularity this year it would be by banging long balls up to Mitro / Murphy depending on whose fit / picked

murphy, although not a household name is actually quite mobile and season before last netted 27 times, which is fairly prolific. it’s all about experience and a long long season. it hasn’t stopped rafa going after other targets and still 4 days left.

as someone has already mentioned Benitez plays the squad game, Murphy won’t be a back up, he will be an option and unfortunately he will be used for a good number of games. I honestly cannot believe we couldn’t find anyone better.

It would appear Rafa is going for width and wants to use wingers / wing backs. If it’s Rafa’s intention to play Mitro with regularity this year then if he does get injured I think there’s enough depth in the squad to cope with that without relying on a lump like Murphy.

Sissoko’s made a rod for his own back. Saying he’s been wanting away for the last two seasons and not even having the brains to play as we know he can, consistently hasn’t help his cause.

He’s got to appreciate that he’s under contract to Newcastle United and treating the Club and its fans with the disrespect he’s shown has made Rafa all the more determined not to be beaten by the antics and utterances of a selfish and arrogant who seems to think that the world revolves around him and him only.

As has been suggested, he should be fined for every unauthorised press interview, the fine doubling each time he’s indiscrete.

Mick McCarthy seems to have a different opinion about Murphy. He said we’d be getting a strong forward who’s lead the line well.

Or maybe he really did want rid of him but his language and demeanor suggested that he was both pi$$ed off yet philosophical. Add to that that Rafa’s no fool (yes, he has made judgemental errors as have all managers) so maybe we shouldn’t judge players without seeing them perform in black and white.

I have great faith in Rafa and have said so on many occasions even when the doubts were screaming from the roof tops after our first two losses…but this here blog is here for us voice our opinions and all I’m saying is not over enamoured by that particular signing.

No doubt Rafa will prove me wrong…I hope he does…but deep down I’m not so sure.

some people do seem to have a lot of preconceptions about rafa and automatically assume he is a ”defensive” coach. i don’t think this is necessarily the case, i just think rafa plays games depending on the opposition.

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United.

Their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Health Update - 4 Aug, 2016

The good news last week was that after more blood tests my PSA count is still undetectable

This means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of it in the body.

Now to be even more vigilant so I can see the Rafa Benitez project come to its fruition over the next few years - wouldn't want to miss that.

Howay The Lads!!>

Ed Harrison

What Is A Football Club?

What is a club in any case?

Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.

It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.